Seabirds

Dungeness - 0930hrs - mild, dry, sunny, w 3 - An almost spring-like morning with warm sunshine and a light westerly inducing a Dunnock and Blackbird to sing in the garden. From the fishing boats the sea was smothered in Guillemots and Razorbills with many more coming and going; numbers were almost impossible to assess but there must`ve been at least 2,000 auks, quite a sight. Kittiwakes were also much in evidence with one of the incoming fishing boats having at least 100 in tow, plus hundreds more out to sea and along the beach. Also noted lesser numbers of Red-throated Divers, Great Crested Grebes, Gannets, plus singles of Bonxie and Fulmar down-Channel. A Grey Seal surfaced close to shore and the 3rd winter Glaucous Gull was creating havoc amongst the other large gulls.

Lade - Unfortunately no sign of yesterdays diver on Lade north despite several birders on site giving it the once over as well; one of whom claimed a Slav Grebe earlier. Six Goldeneyes and 2 Smew noted across both waters.
Littlestone - Had a quick look for the Snow Buntings in the Varne car park without success, although they had been showing earlier.
Walland Marsh - En-route from the causeway road 12 Smew on New Diggings, 2 Great White Egrets on ARC and a Merlin at Cockles Bridge. On Walland the 2 Whoopers were showing amongst 230 Bewick`s Swan near Hawthorn Corner.
ps: 2 Scaup at were reported from Scotney this afternoon (PB & MH) and the Black-throated Diver was seen again on Lade north in the afternoon (DB); must`ve been by the `mirrors` in the morning, the only spot I didn't check.